Butterflies fluttered jn the stomach as I exited the "Nadaprabhu Kempegowda Nildana - Majestic" Metro station and walked down to the railway station. It's about 6 months since I last entered it and the feeling I endured was the same feeling one endures while visiting a friend's home after long . Walked passed the exit gates swiping the cards, and heading down to the subway , checked the status of the Ola auto my parents were taking. The auto was right above the subway I was getting down. So almost on time I think over

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Ola restricted number of passengers to 2 and immediately a last minute plan was ushered to- book the Ola auto for parents and luggage, catch the metro in 15 minutes walk to help them with luggage at end. Well the end did not happen, while dad didn't want me to walk all the way to PF-7 entrance to pick the luggage to PF-5 . Anyway it's a dragging distance he said

So walking slowly , entered PF-1 where the LHB Karnataka express (06527 special) was stationed. The station was relatively with less crowd , majorly for 2 reasons - the non presence of excess unreserved crowd, and deterrent of the "see-off " crowd for passengers. The increase of platform ticket to Rs.50/- seems to have kept them at bay with only necessary people entering. Gone are the days when 5 people came to send off one person by train

The TV screen showed arrival of 06232 Mayiladuthurai express on platform 5 . The Marikuppam bound Swarna MEMU was exiting PF-2 with a loud horn. Slowly climbed back the step after passing through the near empty subway to reach the waiting area of PF-6, where my parents were just entering from opposite side and settling themselves .

The Kacheguda bound express occupied PF-5 while the MEMU occupied PF-6. Who is this, asked my Dad. Gave a smile and said " Devi Chamundi ". to astonished look of my parents. Mom was like " Changed to Chamundi local is it?? Nodded and said, yeah they run one more extra trip now . " Hey , that's running since long - Rajya Rani". I said " That's day - this is night ".

The EMD sounded the horn at 1820 announcing Kacheguda departure. Is next our train, asked mom. No, I said, Golgumbaz yet to arrive , as announcement went for Karwar express departure at 1840 from PF-8

If he leaves so early won't he reach Mangalore also early, asked my Dad. No Pa, he byepasses and goes to Surathkal directly. Then Mangalore?? He js at 2130, I said. Ok, 3 days via Mysore and rest via Kunigal?? No Pa they have also been seperated it's daily via Kunigal and 3 days via Mysore. Oh, that's good ,so now we can reach Gokarna directly ( He liked the atmosphere of Gokarna village a lot ever since we visited in 2016. Yes, as early as 8AM.

In meantime, the loud horn was given by MEMU and Chamundi left. A faster run compared to earlier where many times he reaches Mysore by 2045. Why did he leave 8 mins late, my dad asked, as I replied , it's 1825 dep now. Oh, my mobile time hasn't synced, its 2 mjns behind, he replied .

In meantime, the Solapur bound Golgumbaz quietly pulled into PF-9 , as the announcement went for the Humsafar clone from Danapur arriving onto PF-4 . WAP7 coupled with Udyan express stood on the pitline awaiting shunting

Checked in WIMT that 06232 had left Kengeri at 1818, a 1 hr 45 mins run for MYS KGI. That's fine, but when will he enter SBC, that's the question?? Minimum 20 mins, maximum depends on signal he laughed

A LHB rake was shunted in reverse onto PF-6 at good speed , raising both our eyebrows . Who is this ?? Nanded, said the EOG board. Shunted in almost 4 hours before departure. Looks like they will alternate 5 & 7 accordingly.

Where is Dharmapuri pass?? my Dad asked, reminding of the journey we took in 2015 December. He was pretty fast, went off in just over 3 hours. Yeah, but because of diesel rake, he now leaves from YPR instead of here, I replied. Too many changes post covid restoration, he said. Yes I said as the announcement now went for JTJ SBC MEMU arriving onto PF-7 & SBC MYS MEMU leaving

Another MEMU ?? Which is this?? Ex AJJ - SBC pa, curtailed to JTJ. And same rake heading as 1900 hrs Push-pull. Push-pull ?? My mom was like those dragging ones of 4.5 hrs. Not case now, it's 3.5 hrs run majorly. Arrey have you made Mysore suburb of Bangalore , running MEMU's, both asked in chorus .. Yeah for the shuttling guys

The JTJ MEMU pulled in as simultaneously as the KJM WAP-7 39157 pulled in with 06232 from MYS and slowly halter as clock turned to 1850. The CC passengers of MYS SBC section, deboarded, about 20 in number. Even if booking had happened post chart, with special fare , the fare would be about Rs. 390/- against Rs 330/- by Volvo. But of course better timings of 2 hrs 15 mins to SBC against unpredictable timings of Volvo due to road work.

Boarded the B2 coach, the upgraded of my parents SS quota , berth 55,56. Fine they have upgraded, but how can they allot a SUB to a LB passenger. Ok for a guy like me, but not everyone can do it na , he asked. Of course, I replied. The guys in the main bay had already put up the berth, bringing a frown on my dad's face. Let's wait down, anyway loco has to be changed

We got down and waited as clock ticked 1900 hrs. Another 10 mins more, we don't get clearance, we will get clearance only at 1930 or beyond. What's the matter anyway, we need to reach SA at 2345, if that's done we are on time. In the meantime, the MYS MEMU left and Raj had been shunted onto PF-8 vacated by Karwar express

From the curve that we were, the loco as well as guard signal both were not visible. But loco is only 4 coaches away so no issues, the sound will be loud, we discussed. Time ticked past 1910 and sensing no departure, it will be now a post 1930 departure

A jolt was felt at 1912 but it was the loco attachment . The loco gave a short horn and moved to & fro with rake and stopped while we waited outside. RPF were seen taking positions to board the train, a regular sight in this.

The honk was heard and the wheels rumbled. Karnataka express was slowly pulling out of PF-1 on time, as announcement went on for arrival of 02678 Ernakulam day express onto PF-4 at 1945. Lot of trains keeping up time these days, said my dad, but we book by one and he doesn't leave. Smiled through

A loud honk was heard immediately and I hurriedly boarded as Dad stood near door. I feel the light shake I said. Where there is nothing , he replied standing on PF. The floor sheet is bulged and that's what is shaking , no connection with train movement. Saw through the glass and it was Udyan moving from stable to occupy the PF-1

At 1935, we hear the sound and now it's our turn to move out, 35 mins delay. If he can still reach Salem on time, why can't timings be changed?? A regular affair of this train leaving pretty late. Even if he leaves on time , he would be held at BYPL citing crossing

We slowly pulled out and crossing points and the awaiting Udyan on the shunter line, we cross past the awaiting Ernakulam express and start accelerating. I pull out the bag, and taking my dinner, a water bottle and bedsheet , hand over remaining luggage to my parents, and move onto S-2 before train enters BNC and crowd pulls in and settle onto berth 27 .

Thanks for reading !